as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of private investigators
Jane Levy is the latest addition to the cast of Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici’s NBC comedy pilot about private investigators.
—
Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
In the novel, Spade and partner Miles Archer are private investigators who accept a case from a woman hoping to find her sister, who ran off with a mysterious man.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, there was a TV show about three little girls who went to the police academy and then became private investigators.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Her family in 2018 also engaged in a legal battle with OPD in order to access records that their private investigators could use in a search.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The celebrities allege that the company illegally spied on them by hiring private investigators to hack their phones, bug their cars and access private records.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Harry, along with Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and others, alleges the publisher hired private investigators to bug their cars, obtain personal records and eavesdrop on calls.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
La Guerre also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to hire private investigators to join in on the search.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Following her instincts, Sarah seeks out private investigators Zoë Boehm (Thompson) and her husband, Joe Silverman (Adam Godley).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
In the novel, Spade and partner Miles Archer are private investigators who accept a case from a woman hoping to find her sister, who ran off with a mysterious man.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, there was a TV show about three little girls who went to the police academy and then became private investigators.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Her family in 2018 also engaged in a legal battle with OPD in order to access records that their private investigators could use in a search.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The celebrities allege that the company illegally spied on them by hiring private investigators to hack their phones, bug their cars and access private records.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Harry, along with Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and others, alleges the publisher hired private investigators to bug their cars, obtain personal records and eavesdrop on calls.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
La Guerre also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to hire private investigators to join in on the search.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Following her instincts, Sarah seeks out private investigators Zoë Boehm (Thompson) and her husband, Joe Silverman (Adam Godley).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private investigators
Noun
-
The man was taken in for questioning as Calumet Area detectives investigated.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators learned on Tuesday that Lickhart had died from her injuries, and homicide detectives took over the case, DiMartino said.—
Nathan Pilling
March 17,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An attack on a Michigan synagogue and a deadly shooting at a Virginia university, with investigators looking at the war in Iran as possible motivation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
One of those interviews would lead a team of cybersecurity investigators to the inner workings of a vast North Korean employment scheme with national security implications.—
Lisa Cavazuti,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The untitled half-hour project is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives, which continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
-
And after testimony in Miami one day, former Police Chief and Carollo foe Art Acevedo, was followed from the courthouse to a restaurant in Coral Gables by a couple of private detectives.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private investigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigators. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
